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Guardians of the Galaxy's Real-Life Rocket Raccoon Model Has Died

The Marvel Cinematic Universe was dealt another blow today with the news that Oreo the Racoon, the real-life model for Rocket Racoon, has died from illness at the age of 10.

While Bradley Cooper voiced Rocket and Sean Gunn portrayed the furry hero on set, Oreo was used as the visual basis for Rocket Racoon in director James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and the rest of the MCU.

The official GotG Facebook announced the passing along with a heartfelt eulogy from owner Quinta Layla, who described the cute critter as "perfect" and "a special little man."

"Have fun up there over the Rainbow Bridge my darling. I hope, no I know they will all love you as much as we do. We will miss you so, so much," she added. "Fly high Oreo, our super hero, love you lots like jelly tots."

Rest in Peace to Oreo the Raccoon, the real-life model for Rocket Raccoon. Oreo was also the Raccoon that went to the...

Oreo enjoyed some aspects of celebrity life prior to his passing, including appearing on the red carpet alongside Gunn at the premiere of 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy, which began Rocket's on-screen journey. Since then, the gun-toting racoon has saved the universe and fought Thanos in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Avengers: Infinity War and the upcoming Avengers: Endgame.

Rocket Raccoon was created in 1976 by Keith Giffen and Bill Mantlo and has gone on to become one of Marvel's most popular superheroes, with an especially prominent role on the cosmic side fo the Marvel Universe.